Crime Beat

Stray doppies
A note of regret: James McClure was the founder of South African crime fiction so it’s really sad that no local publisher is considering reprinting his Tromp and Zondi series. However, good to hear that the Soho Press in New York will be republishing The Steam Pig, The Caterpillar Cop, The Gooseberry Fool and Snake.
Here’s a reason why he should be reprinted: The Colonel put it another way when he arrived in Railway Village some minutes later. He said, “Man, it’s funny, but having a policeman sniffing around can do something extra nasty to a mind that’s warped already. You know what I mean?” Kramer knew; one of his early colleagues, investigating the death of a racing driver whose car was suspected of having been sabotaged, had his face held in the radiator fan of an engine running on a test block. Things like that stick. – (from The Caterpillar Cop)

Crime Beat Diary October 26 – 29:
Monday: Profound words on SA crime fiction
Tuesday: From the Hip with Joanne Hichens.
Wednesday: Thriller Talk with Jassy Mackenzie.
Thursday: A fascinating review of local crime writing by Barbara Ludman that originally appeared in the Mail & Guardian.